Stylish Pencil Pouch Tutorial

Hit the halls in style this school year when you create these cute and easy pencil pouches!  Before school starts, get together with your friends and host a fun crafting party.  Everyone can bring their own special style to this project.  All you need to do is gather up a few pretty papers and some basic crafting supplies.  Create a sealable pouch by recycling an ordinary sandwich bag.  Once you're done, stash all your basic office supplies in them from pencils and pens to scissors and glue.

What You'll Need:

• Scissors
• Patterned paper
• Double-sided tape
• Packing tape
• Resealable plastic bag

Step One:  Cut patterned paper in strips that fit the size of the plastic bag.  If you don't have any fancy paper handy, recycle an old calendar or use wrapping paper.

Step Two:  Apply double-sided tape to the backside of the paper you cut.

Step Three:  Secure the paper onto the front face of the plastic bag.  Repeat this process on the opposite side of the bag by cutting and taping on more paper.

Step Four:  Create a glossy finish by applying packing tape over the paper.

Step Five (Optional):  Accessorize with tape and stickers and you're done!  You can also attach magnets to the back of the pouches and hang them inside your locker.

I'm starting high school this year and I know that these pencil pouches will come in handy.  I'm making these ahead of time because once school starts, I know I'll be busy.

Do you want to see more back-to-school crafts?  Leave a comment down below.

Craft on,

Kelly

Cute as a Button Card Tutorial

Use my free printable template to create these cute and easy button cards!

Give all your friends these cute and easy handmade button cards!  The unique doodle design that I created complements the simple button decorations.  Say anything from "happy birthday" to "thank you" to "congratulations" when giving these away.  If you want, you can also keep these for yourself.  Use them to adorn your room by framing them as art or find another creative use—the options are endless.

What You'll Need:

Click to Print

• Free printable Button Card Template
• Card stock (or any thick paper)
• Scissors
• Glue
• Ruler
• Buttons (3-8 depending on card)
• Colored pencils or markers

Step One:  Click and print my free Button Card Template.  Using scissors, cut along the outside edges of desired card.

Step Two: With pencils or markers, color in the picture.

Step Three:  Measure out a piece of card stock or any thick paper to 10 x 5 inches with the ruler and cut out with scissors.

Step Four:  Fold the piece of paper in half and crease.

Step Five:  Glue the template cut-out onto the top face of the paper.

Step Six:  Using a liquid glue, adhere the buttons and you're finished!

Thank you for stopping by and I hope you have fun creating these easy cute as a button cards!

Keep crafting,

Kelly

Recycled Denim Owl Purse Tutorial

Use my free printable template to create this adorable owl purse!

Using an old pair of denim jeans, you can create your own cute owl purse!  Wear it out and about with anything and you'll look and feel great.  The soft felt accents create unique colors that pop against the casual denim material.  Use it to carry all your necessities including your wallet, notes, makeup, and phone.

Sit down and relax while creating this easy project.  Most of the materials you'll need for this are probably laying around somewhere near you.  For the denim, I recycled an old pair of jeans that I didn't wear anymore.  If you don't have any felt, you can choose to experiment with different fabrics and textures.  This project is so carefree, anything you do will look great!

What You'll Need:

Click to Print

• Free Printable Owl Template
• Denim or old pair of jeans
• Felt
• Embroidery floss and needle
• 2 Buttons
• Scissors
• Sewing Pins
• Ribbon

Step One:  Click and print my free Owl Template.  Cut out all the pieces with scissors.  Using sewing pins, secure the body cutout to two pieces of denim with wrong sides together.  Pin the rest of the cutouts to the felt.  The number on the cutouts corresponds with the number of pieces you will need to pin together.

Step Two:  Using scissors, cut around all the templates.  Remove the pins and template.

Step Three:  Choose one piece of the body to be the front and the other the back.  Layer the buttons and eyes on the body.  Using embroidery floss, sew the eyes and button to the denim.

Step Four:  Layer the pieces of felt onto the front of the body into desired position.  Using embroidery floss, appliqué the felt on using a basic "under over" stitch.

Step Five:  Using embroidery floss, create eyelashes.  Tie a piece of the ribbon into a bow and stitch it on to the side of the head.

Step Six:  Stitch the front and back pieces of the body together using matching embroidery floss.  Remember not to sew the top so that the bag will be able to open.

Step Seven:  Use a strip of denim to create the shoulder strap.  Make it as long or short as you want.  Stitch it to the inside of the bag, by the ears.  For a sturdier and more finished looking strap, use the inseam of a pair of jeans.

After you're done creating this easy denim owl purse, come back here and share what you've made!

Have fun,

Kelly

Easy DIY Journal Tutorial

With only a few household supplies, you can create your own personalized journals by yourself. Use your notebook as a way to keep reminders, give a gift, or write a story.  Stash them in pockets, purses, or backpacks and whenever you need paper, they'll be there!

The process I use to make these journals is very easy and relaxing.  In fact, it will hardly take any brainwork at all.  The best part though, is that you can personalize them according to your own unique style.  I love using pretty little stickers, quotes, and ribbons to accessorize mine, but you can do whatever you want!  I hope you'll enjoy creating these as much as I did.  Let's get started.

What You'll Need:

• Scissors
• Embroidery thread and needle
• Card stock (or any thick paper)
• Patterned tape
• Paper (lined, graph, plain, etc.)

Step One:  Cut paper and card stock to desired size (the example above is 8.5"x 5.5"), align them together, and then fold in half.

Step Two:  Using the needle and embroidery floss, stitch through the middle of the journal, leaving the ends free on the outside.

Step Three:  Finish off by applying tape along the outer edge, making sure to hide the embroidery floss.

Step Four (Optional):  Accessorize with stickers and ribbon and you're done!

What are some ways you're planning to decorate your own journals?

I'd love to hear about all the unique styles everyone can bring to this project.

Happy crafting,

Kelly